Quarterfinals: Logan Mize vs. Michael Marlow

“No durdling,” Logan noted as he evaluated Michael’s decklist—a sleek, fast Zombie beatdown machine with a lower curve and packing plenty of aggression. “Trying to cut all the chaff and just win,” he admitted. “Two Top 8s... so far.”

Glimmerpost and Devil’s Play for 2 mostly undid the Diregraf Ghoul, but Michael kept the heat on with Geralf’s Messenger on turn 3. Logan sent turn 4 after playing Inkmoth Nexus, and Michael immediately knocked him to 10 with an attack before casting Blood Artist. That put a real damper on Logan’s plans—he couldn’t effectively kill anything!

He played Copperline Gorge and dropped to 5 when Michael attacked, clearly needing Primeval Titan for more Glimmerposts on the next turn. Could he even last that long? Michael did some math, and shrugged. “What could you possibly have...” he said. Phantasmal Image for Geralf’s Messenger dropped Logan to 3, and when Michael dropped Killing Wave it was for game.

Michael 1, Logan 0

Game 2

Logan kept while Michael mulliganed, and Logan needed a quick rally in game 2 to remain alive for the tournament. He started with Copperline Gorge while Michael had Diregraf Ghoul, but Wall of Tanglecord on turn 2 bought Logan significant time. Blood Artist was no threat on this board, but Logan decided to go ahead and Slagstorm the little fellows away, taking 2 damage.

On three lands, Michael shipped the turn right back—not good for him, with Logan peeling way better cards. On the next turn, it turned out one of them was Primeval Titan. Searching up Inkmoth Nexus and Kessig Wolf Run, Logan prepared to start swinging at his opponent, with Michael’s slow start leaving him vulnerable. Phantasmal Image on Primeval Titan gave Michael his own 6/6 and two lands, but it would be have a short life against Wolf Run.

Peeling Inferno Titan next, Logan took 2 damage and killed all of Michael’s creatures, putting him on 23 and going to 17. Logan animated Inkmoth Nexus and lost his Primeval Titan to a Tragic Slip before attacking for a single poison. Logan could’ve played around this for lands by attacking with Primeval alone and just using Wolf Run after the trigger to remove Titan, netting some lands, but he wouldn’t get in any poison damage that way due to the need to cast Inferno Titan.

Michael passed, and Logan went on the offensive again. He sent his Inferno Titan and Inkmoth in, making the Nexus four power and pumping the Titan twice, leaving Michael on 12 and five poison. “I don’t think that card does it,” Michael said, and he picked up his many lands.

Michael 1, Logan 1

Game 3

Logan had a strong opening seven but just one land—plenty of ramp, though. “They never make it easy,” he mumbled, staring at it before deciding to keep. Michael started the pressure fast with Gravecrawler, and Logan made Forest before passing. He fell to 18, and Skirsdag High Priest landed.

Having peeled two lands, Logan started with Wall of Tanglecord on defense, preserving his life total. Michael played Blood Artist and forced in 1 damage, ending the turn. On 17, Logan cast Rampant Growth to grab a land and shipped the turn, not terribly threatened by Michael’s non-Messenger start.

Michael Pondered before casting Appetite for Brains, seeing a smorgasbord of options—Wurmcoil Engine, Huntmaster of the Fells, and Primeval Titan! He decided to tear the Huntmaster out of Logan’s hand, and then played Mortarpod, planning to generate some 5/5 Demons. “I have something in store for you!” Michael said with a smile.

Logan laughed, landing Sphere of the Suns and passing the turn. He dropped to 15 as the 5/5 landed, and Michael untapped after making the 5/5. He cast Gravecrawler, attacked with his 5/5 Demon into the Wall’s reach and nodded as Logan blocked, giving his GravecrawlerMortarpod to finish the job and letting him make another Demon.

Tapping out on the next turn for Wurmcoil Engine, Logan was dismayed to see Steel Sabotage ruin his hopes of fighting his way back into the game.